Survey wants to find out just what our dogs mean to us
DOG owners in Rotherham are being urged to take part in a national survey to highlight how important pooches are in their lives.
Dogs Trust’s National Dog Survey 2026 is now open and organisers are urging people to have their say.
The National Dog Survey is celebrating its fifth year and has gathered more than 1.4 million responses since it began.
Insights from the survey help shape how Dogs Trust supports people and dog owners, improves welfare and campaigns for dogs the UK.
The survey gives people the chance to share their stories about the vital role that dogs play in our lives, whether they have a dog or not.
The survey - available at www.dogstrust.org.uk/NDS – is open until Tuesday, June 30 and it takes around 15 minutes to complete.
Past findings have enabled Dogs Trust to open dog food banks, launch its free Behaviour Support Line to support thousands of owners across the UK, and highlight the challenges of renting with a pet, contributing to the Renters’ Rights Act coming into law in England in May 2026, meaning landlords can no longer unreasonably refuse a tenant’s request to have a dog.
Owen Sharp, chief executive of Dogs Trust, said, “Being a dog owner means you are part of a wonderful community, and for our fifth annual National Dog Survey, we want to bring all of these experiences together.
“This year, we’re looking to dig deeper into the incredible commitment of owners and explore what our dogs mean to us.
“And it isn’t just dog owners we want to hear from. Whether you’ve always wanted a dog, are unsure if one fits your lifestyle, or simply prefer to admire them from afar, we want to hear from you.
“The insights from this year’s survey will help ensure Dogs Trust can support dogs and their owners, and help us all live the best lives possible, together.”
Last year, over 342,957 people took part in the survey, sharing information about over 423,175 dogs, giving findings such as 80 per cent saying their dog is their best friend and 95 per cent agreeing that having a dog is good for mental health.